Sonoplot

Sonoplot is a company that has developed a nanomaterial-printing technology. Using it's "microplotter" it is able to dispense tiny volumes of material onto surfaces using a pen that uses an ultra-sound pump to dispense the liquid.

Image of a plate printed by Sonoplot's technology

Working with a more varied series of fluids (including more viscus ones) and higher resolution of deposition than its current competitor (the inkjet printer), the microplotter may allow for the utilization of nanomaterials' (like carbon nanotubes) properties in a controlled and effecient way.

Diagram of an Inkjet Printer

The reason for the microplotter's versatility is its patented ultrasonic pumping action. Unlike an inkjet printer that works by popping tiny volumes of inks onto paper in dots of 50-60 micrometers (details for the process on how an inkjet printer works is outlined here, and shown in the image to the right), the microplotter deposits the material directly, as shown in this video.

Sonoplot, the manufacturer of the microplotter tells about the promise its technology holds for smaller, cheaper, electronics. However, one can easily imagine further applications for this type of technology; be it property testing or fun drawings!

To learn more about the sonoplot's technology, click here.

WIN Seminar - Dr. Aaron Wheeler: Digital Microfluidics for Three Dimensional Cell Culture and Single-Cell Signaling Assays

For those of you interested in Nanotechnology and in learning more about it, Dr. Aaron Wheeler, a professor at the Univeristy of Toronto will be giving a seminar about research in nanotechnology (abstract below).

"Digital microfluidics is an alternative to microchannels for fluid handling in which discrete droplets are manipulated electrodynamically on the surface of an array of electrodes covered with a hydrophobic insulator. In this talk, I will describe two projects in which we are exploiting unique attributes of digital microfluidics to enable mammalian cell culture and analysis. In the first project, we have developed a system for generating arrays of microgels “on-demand” with arbitrary shapes and contents. We have used this system to identify conditions that control 3D kidney epithelial spheroid formation. In the second project, we have developed a system that allows for quantitative immunocytochemistry assays in adherent cells at the single-cell level. We have used this system to screen for PDGF signaling events with high time resolution. These examples are representative of interesting new possibilities for cell culture and analysis and other applications that are enabled by digital microfluidics. I will also briefly review our efforts to make these possibilities accessible to all users via open-source hardware and rapid prototyping techniques."

The Seminar will be given at the Quantum Nano Centre (QNC) in room 1501 on September 17th at 3pm. 

200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
Canada     

To learn more, click here!

Nanotechnology 101: The Biggest Thing You've Never Seen

As Nanotechnologies continually change the world and our lives, it is one of the goals of the Royal Institution (RI) to give awareness about how nanotechnologies will further be able to change the way we live our lives.

To this end, the RI is hosting Michael Meador, the Director of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Coordination Office that was created under NASA. In his talk at the RI, he will be discussing the following topic:

"How could nanotechnology be used to create smart and extremely resilient materials? Or to boil water three times faster? Join former NASA Nanotechnology Project Manager Michael Meador to learn about the fundamentals of nanotechnology—what it is and why it’s unique—and how this emerging, disruptive technology will change the world. From invisibility cloaks to lightweight fuel-efficient vehicles and a cure for cancer, nanotechnology might just be the biggest thing you can’t see."

The event will take place at the Royal Institution Theatre, located at: 21 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BS, United Kingdom

Admission Prices
Standard: £12
Concession: £8
Associate: £6
Free to Members, Faraday Members and Fellows

NanoTechnology in School

Since the inception of this blog, the perception nanotechnology has changed dramatically in the field of education; especially in university. More and more institutions are increasing budgets for research on nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, and more researchers are becoming aware of the useful and unique properties seen at the nanoscale.

As recognition of its importance, some secondary-level schools are beginning to question how they should go about pursuing the education of nanotechnology to students. Some believe that nanotechnology should be taught as its own class in school, much like physics or chemistry. Others, however, believe that, due to the wide scope of nanotechnology and its application in many of these fields, nanotechnologies should be incorporated into current courses as additional material.

Currently, there are attempts to fill the void that exists by the lack of any education. Some of these include nanotechnology summer camps, which introduce concepts, techniques, and technologies to high school students, and course kits that teachers or parents can order online to use as teaching aids for their students. Additionally, some schools and foundations like the NSF (national science foundation) encourage students to visit their labs and explore this new realm.

What do you think on this debate? Should a class be created in high schools for the sole purpose of teaching Nanotechnologies? Leave a comment below!